“Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress, working together is success.” – Henry Ford

HON may manufacture office furniture, but we sell something much more important: Productivity. What it means to be productive is always changing, and the path to get there is very fluid. Currently, the big buzz words around productivity are ‘collaboration’ and ‘interaction’. Younger generations are driving this change in the typical work day, and I don’t think they are going anywhere. The 9-to-5 gig will continue to be a more group-oriented experience. Workstations will become more dynamic. Private offices will lose their clout. Walls will come down, and teamwork will be at the heart of business. It is time to adjust to the new world and the solution is simple: Between™ Tables.

Henry Ford said it best, “Working together is success.” So, why not invest in tools that make that success possible? Between is a contemporary table line that is compatible with any space in the office. With three shapes and multiple heights, all available in our full line of HON laminates, there is nowhere this line won’t fit.

Between tables are all about taking all those nooks and extra spaces in your office and transforming them into places that drive productivity. Between is simple. Between is easy. Between is, for all intents and purposes, perfect for that space between. At a competitive price and with a design that makes reconfiguring a breeze, there isn’t much to not love about HON’s newest table line.

Between can be used in a breakroom, a back room, the server room, or even in the hallway. Between is a tool that will help you leverage every square inch of your space to create a productive environment, so that even the smallest of spaces can be the place of the next great innovation. So, whether you find yourself shooting the breeze over lunch, or planning the next billion-dollar acquisition, let Between tables propel you to the next level.

I started at The HON Company in June and have enjoyed working here the past few months. Who knew there was so much to learn about office furniture? As a new member of our Sales team, I had the opportunity to participate in an internal contest where I won my very own Desktop Riser – a new tool from HON that allows you to easily transform your standard seated-height desk into a standing desk.

Since I added this new workplace tool to my workstation, it has changed the way I work. In addition to the added flexibility and ergonomic benefits I have already experienced with this simple sit-to-stand solution, I have compiled a list of fun facts that I have learned and shared with my co-workers about the Desktop Riser’s functionality.

How wide is the Desktop Riser?

The top worksurface is 35’’. Don’t have a tape measure on hand? To put it simply, it fits 2 monitors comfortably.

Where do you take notes?

I love the feeling of checking something off a list, so it was important for me to still have space to write when I set the Desktop Riser on my worksurface. There is plenty of room on the top surface of my Desktop Riser to take notes, but it is still possible to use my existing workstation area as well. No matter your preference, there’s plenty of room to fit the way you work.

Is it easy to lift up and down?

Yes! I am confident that anyone would be able to operate this easy-to-lift and lower handle. Multiple coworkers in the office have stopped by to try it out and they are always pleasantly surprised by how easily it adjusts.

The moral of the story? The Desktop Riser is a great way to create the sit-to-stand workstation you desire, and then some! It’s a lightweight and easily installed solution that can be adjusted throughout your day to fit whatever height you need, without interrupting how you work.

With each season comes new office design inspiration. To add to Tuesday’s blog post, here are 4 more ideas to help you re-energize your workspace this winter:

5. It’s All About the Details

We all know that the small details are extremely important in many of your daily work tasks, and your office environment is no different! With HON’s newest lounge collection, Grove™, it’s all about the details. With multiple arm options, power capabilities, and 8 woodgrain laminate options, Grove will be sure to catch the eye of anyone walking through your space (at a competitive price!).

6. Introduce Feng-Shui

Feng-Shui is becoming more and more popular, and for good reasons! It is said to help reduce stress, increase productivity, and enhance creativity. The best part is that it can be easy and affordable to add to any office environment. Try starting with some greenery in common spaces or a small plant on your desk. Ensuring access to natural sunlight is also a great way to embrace this trend. Consider adding café tables and chairs along the perimeter of your office space near windows; 2 great product lines to consider are Arrange™ tables and complementary Accommodate™ seating.

7. Simplify Your Work Area

We’ve all heard the saying “less is more”. To keep things organized and maximize your workspace, HON has several accessories that coordinate with all of our products. Try using monitor arms to create more surface area, along with desktop file centers, credenzas or pedestal storage options to keep everything you need close and easy to access!

8. Add a Personal Touch

It’s important to make time for personal interests and hobbies in addition to your professional passions. Perhaps you don’t get a chance to do this as much in the winter, but don’t be afraid to bring your interests to work. Adding something as simple as a family picture, trinkets, or a keepsake that shows off your favorite winter sports team can bring a new energy to your office or workstation.

What are some other ways you like to redecorate and re-energize your space during the winter?

A couple months ago I read an article about the impact March Madness has on a company’s workforce. It is estimated that, during the month of March, employers in America lose up to $4B in productivity as a result of employees watching live games and tracking their playoff brackets.

But the truth is, distractions like these exist every day, and not just because of March Madness. As office furniture continues to trend towards more light-scale and open plan furniture, it’s important that we don’t forget the importance of heads-down, focused work. The HON Company provides many solutions that decrease the risk of disruptions, especially within an open plan office. Here are a few examples of our favorites:

Voi® Privacy ScreensVoi privacy screens provide a division of workspace between users, while also offering an opportunity to add a pop of color.

Panel Systems with Frameless GlassAdding frameless glass on top of panels allows light to shine through while breaking up the visibility between users. You can tailor this premium look to your own preference by choosing between clear or frosted glass.

Shared Overhead Storage between UsersIn addition to distractions being a bother for employees in an open floorplan, these layouts typically have less storage. Using shared overheads between users is a great way to address both of these concerns.

What are some office design tips you use to minimize distractions in the open office space?

Anyone remember the film Pay it Forward with Kevin Spacey, Helen Hunt, and Haley Joel Osment? Its premise revolved around a junior high school teacher who gave his class an assignment to think of an idea to improve the world for the better and to, most importantly, put it into action. This was the first time I remember hearing the phrase, and it has really stuck with me. Small acts of kindness, aside from the obvious benefit of brightening someone else’s day, can also be a significant mood booster for the giver and influences his or her overall state of happiness. When it comes to the workplace, the ripple effect of paying it forward can help create a more positive company culture and work environment, and the best part is – it can be really simple to spread! Here are 6 of my favorite ways to be kind and “pay it forward” in the office:

Pop-Open Cards

Hands down my new favorites, I recently stumbled upon these at a local stationery store during one of my weekend road trips. Each of these small notes are wrapped individually, so it’s easy to pay it forward by choosing the best-suited message for a coworker and leaving it on his desk for daily motivation. I started with the Smile and Thanks sets, but Compendium, Inc. makes a whole host of different themed sets, some of which include: Carpe Diem, Cheers, Believe, Be Happy, and Dream.

Inspirational “Just Because” Notes

Dove® Chocolate Wrappers come in at a close second and are scattered all over my fridge. The chocolate inside is an obvious added bonus as well. Dropping off a few treats or that one perfect saying is an exceptionally easy way to brighten a fellow coworker’s day. Fortune cookie takeaways and simple Post-it® notes (paired with your favorite Sharpie®, of course) also work perfectly well.

Caffeine Run

Such a simple way to start someone else’s day off right. Bonus points if you know his/her favorite. Break out that gold card & earn those stars!

Mail Time

I never feel more accomplished than when I’m walking out of the post office on a Saturday morning, having just purchased a new sheet of stamps with a successful mailing to start off the day (personal victory if this has miraculously occurred before noon). The best surprise package that I’ve received included my go-to desk accessories that now serve as quick mood boosters/inspiration when needed.

Taking a Break

Aside from the obvious perk of recharging your work batteries for a bit during the middle of the day – this is prime social hour. Whether it’s getting to know the new employee who started last week, scheduling group outings with the rest of the team, or getting together with your closest work friend, this is a great opportunity to spend quality time with other’s and make someone else’s day. Showcased here is our fabulous HON Commons area during peak hours.

Kudos Emails

This is something I’m constantly trying to do more often and have been finding it works best for me if I dedicate a few minutes on a Friday afternoon or over the weekend – an easy way to make sure others’ work is being noticed and that my teammates feel appreciated. Particularly in Field Sales, we rely heavily on the tools, resources, and help provided from other teams throughout the organization.

Today’s office spaces are constantly changing as they adapt to the needs of workers. They’ve become less about individual space and more about collaborative work areas. Here are 4 reasons why our new Arrange tables are the best solution for the active spaces in your office:

1. ARRANGE WITH CONFIDENCE.

Arrange tables are available in a variety of heights, worksurface shapes and sizes to support any space – from common areas and collaborative settings to private offices. Find a quiet spot to brainstorm in a small group. Grab a beverage away from the desk. Arrange tables provide the perfect change of scenery!

2. WHEREVER WORK GETS DONE.

Workers understand that getting away from the workstation throughout the day improves productivity and creativity. Arrange tables can support these much needed escapes in a variety of spaces that help people relax, collaborate, power up and stay connected. This flexible line of tables provides the connectivity people crave, and the variety of heights, shapes and sizes to support virtually any setting.

3. CUSTOMIZE YOUR SELECTION.

Arrange tables are available in seated, café or counter heights and a variety of tabletop shapes and sizes to support virtually any need. Choose from lighter-weight Aluminum X-bases and T-leg bases or add an optional Disc Shroud base for a crisp, clean look. Stay connected when you route technology through the base directly to the tabletop to use with optional USB or power grommets.

4. ARRANGE WITH STYLE.

Arrange takes style and selection to a higher level. This versatile collection of tables can be specified to achieve any desired aesthetic and support any activity in cafés or common areas like the library setting below!

Arrange’s adaptability is rivaled only by its quality and durability, which is backed by the unparalleled HON Full Lifetime Warranty.

Since the groundhog didn’t see his shadow and an early Spring is on the way, are you counting down the days until warmer weather, green grass and daffodils? Let’s take a look at the exciting Spring 2016: Pantone Fashion Colors and how you can incorporate them into your next HON project.